Cycling still awash with drugs?

Sports in Brief: Contador fails steroids test

Three-time Tour de France winnerÂ Alberto ContadorÂ tested positive for the banned steroid clenbuterol at this year’s Tour de France, the International Cycling Union (UCI) said in a statement released Wednesday. He has been provisionally suspended pending the outcome of an investigation.

“The experts consulted so far have agreed also that this is a food contamination case, especially considering the number of tests passed by Alberto Contador during the Tour de France,” Vidarte said in a statement.

Allen Lim, an exercise physiologist onÂ Lance Armstrong‘s Team RadioShack, was to appear before a federal grand jury in Los Angeles hearing evidence of alleged doping in professional cycling. Armstrong, a seven-time Tour de France winner, has denied allegations he took performance-enhancing drugs.

Federal authorities have declined to comment on the investigation, which is being aided by Food and Drug Administration AgentÂ Jeff Novitzky, who previously investigated steroid abuse in Major League Baseball and track and field. Novitzky also was seen reporting to the grand jury area Wednesday. Grand juries meet in closed session and testimony is sealed.